Quick hits: Marquis (yes, him) on mend

Your morning update from the Padres' spring training complex

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Jason Marquis sits in the dugout, icing his arm, during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Miami against the Miami Marlins, Monday, July 1, 2013. He gave up four runs in the sixth. The Marlins won 4-0. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
— AP

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Jason Marquis sits in the dugout, icing his arm, during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Miami against the Miami Marlins, Monday, July 1, 2013. He gave up four runs in the sixth. The Marlins won 4-0. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
/ AP

The road back, of course, is long, but Marquis – who is a free agent after spending the last year-and-a-half with the Padres – said he is feeling good. He went 9-5 with a 4.05 ERA, 72 strikeouts and 68 walks over 117 2/3 innings last year.

Now, some updates from Padres manager Bud Black’s morning briefing:

Three moves today: RHP Burch Smith was optioned to Triple-A El Paso, while 2B Cory Spangenberg and C/1B Cody Decker were reassigned to minor league camp. Smith had allowed nine earned runs over 3 2/3 innings in Cactus League action. With so few spots open on the projected 25-man roster, Black said he suspected Smith was “pressing” this spring, likely in an attempt to land in a relief spot. Smith’s velocity had also shown some inconsistency this spring, Black said.

OF Alex Dickerson is out of action with the left ankle he sprained during morning stretching on Saturday. Black said his recovery will be more than a day-to-day situation.

Today’s lineup

SS Everth Cabrera

CF Will Venable

2B Jedd Gyorko,

LF Carlos Quentin

RF Xavier Nady

1B Yonder Alonso

C Yasmani Grandal

3B Alex Castellanos

P Ian Kennedy

Latest Padres headlines

Andrew Cashner’s scoreless innings streak was snapped Saturday. Or was it? Either, way he looked good in a minor league start, as did Casey Kelly while facing live hitters for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last April.

And hey, look: Not one of the thousands fans who weren’t allowed to have advanced baseball experience to take ONE swing Saturday was able to hit a home run at Petco Park with Padres season tickets on the line. Shocker.